Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page has bravely revealed the disturbing reality she faced as a young actress in her twenties, describing how she fell victim to the 'predatory' behaviour of powerful directors.
The acclaimed Welsh actress, now 47, recounted several shocking incidents where directors exploited their positions of authority, creating what she termed a 'horrific' environment for aspiring performers.
The Uncomfortable Truth Behind the Scenes
Page disclosed that during her early career, she encountered multiple situations where directors made inappropriate advances under the guise of professional meetings. 'I was in my twenties and there were a couple of directors who were quite predatory,' she revealed in a candid interview.
The actress described one particularly disturbing pattern where directors would insist on private meetings in hotel rooms rather than professional offices. 'They'd say, 'Come and meet me in my hotel room to talk about the part',' Page recalled, highlighting how these situations immediately felt wrong to her.
A Culture of Silence and Fear
What makes Page's revelations particularly poignant is her admission that she never reported these incidents. Like many young actresses at the time, she feared professional repercussions and believed speaking out would damage her career prospects.
'You just didn't say anything,' Page explained, reflecting the industry culture that prevailed before the #MeToo movement brought widespread attention to such abuses of power.
From Victim to Advocate
Now established in her career with a successful marriage to actor James Thornton and three children, Page feels empowered to speak out. Her decision to share her experiences comes from a desire to support younger actresses and contribute to changing industry standards.
The actress emphasised that while progress has been made since her early career days, there's still significant work needed to ensure complete safety and professionalism in entertainment workplaces.
A Message to the Next Generation
Page's story serves as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope. While acknowledging the challenges that still exist, she believes the increased awareness and support systems now available provide better protection for newcomers to the industry.
Her courageous decision to speak out adds to the growing chorus of voices demanding permanent change in how the entertainment industry handles power dynamics and professional conduct.
